There were too many outsiders in the castle and the city. Leon felt uneasy about the artifact, even in the depths of the castle.

He glanced at Summer, a walking shadow beside him. The night had fallen, and the castle hallways were lit up with bright sconces. But when they walked past a shadowy alcove, Leon could've sworn Summer disappeared, simply melting into shadows. The dark cloak she'd thrown over her dress certainly helped her blend in. But in light of what happened earlier with Robbins, he was starting to reevaluate his thoughts of her impressive skills.

A deep part of him had known all along that Summer was no normal young woman. Since when, he didn't know. But he hadn't been all that surprised when the artifact reacted that way to her. Remembering the heat of the medallion had him clenching his fist. That was no natural warmth. He could feel it in his guts.

And yet, they had nothing but assumptions at this point. Leon had a feeling her mother knew full well the extent of Summer's abilities and her link to the artifact. If only he could talk to her.

"Can you steal the artifact right now?" Leon asked once they were outside, waiting for the carriage. The gardens beyond the steps were lit up with lanterns, members of the staff and Guards scurrying around to finish the preparations for the yearly assembly of lords.

Summer cocked her head aside. "With a map of the castle and the exact location, maybe."

Al scoffed. "There are dozens of guards strolling that part of the castle. And it's underground with only one way in or out. There's no way you could get inside."

Summer just grinned. "Is that so? I guess I can't then."

Al narrowed his eyes at her.

She could do it. Leon saw it in her face.

"You think we should switch its hiding spot?" Ida asked.

Leon sighed. He didn't know. "The problem is during the three days of the yearly assembly of lords."

Ida hummed. "Too many outsiders in the castle will stretch thin our security. Allocating enough resources to the artifact will be difficult."

"They say the best place to hide something is in plain sight," Summer said.

"And you agree?" Leon asked.

"No." She grinned. "But somewhere close is better."

When Summer explained her words, Leon found himself agreeing, marveling at her brightness.

"Let's do that," Leon said. "Al, see to it that Summer's plan is implemented right before the opening ball."

"Alright." Al shrugged. Even he couldn't deny that Summer's plan was a good one. Hoofbeats sounded closer. And a carriage appeared.

"I thought we were going to the prison?" Summer asked, eyeing the discreet carriage.

"Not the one you've been in," Ida said, nodding her head at the coachman who opened the cabin door for them. "Conan the Ripper is in a fortified facility for more dangerous criminals awaiting trial."

"Hmm." Summer's eyes sparkled even in the dimly lit night. "No golden carriage for you, your highness?"

Ida and Al laughed. Leon held his hand out for Summer. "After you, my lady."

She chuckled and, surprisingly, put her hand in his. He gave her a boost, her hands delicate and cold.

Once inside, Summer scanned the cabin. The green velvet seats. The red curtains. The golden metallic door handles. The small lanterns.

When the carriage jerked forward, Summer startled and gave a thrilled laugh.

"First time?" Ida asked.

Summer nodded. "Well, if you don't count the trip over to the capital, during which I was mostly unconscious and the carriage was vastly less padded than this one."

Leon rather enjoyed her delight at the most mundane of things. With Summer near, he found that he didn't take things in his life for granted.

"You should see the Royal carriage," Ida said. "This one is reserved for more discreet travels around the city."

She peeked through the curtains and saw the riders on either side of the carriage. "I wouldn't say it's discreet."

"Many lords travel with their own guards. No one will know it's the esteemed prince of the kingdom in the carriage," Ida said, her eyes sparkling when Leon threw her a look. She exchanged a grin with Summer.

The trip to the prison on the edges of the capital took less than an hour. A prison guard showed them to the office of the prison supervisor. The building looked austere, yet the mood was surprisingly cheerful. They must've arrived during dinner time. Loud conversation and boisterous laughter echoed through the gray stone walls.

The supervisor's office looked warmer than the gray stone walls of the hallways, with a patterned red carpet, a wooden desk and two lines of padded red chairs in front of a roaring fireplace. A pot of hot tea waited for them on the round table. Al and Ida stood by the wall. When Summer went to join them, Leon stopped her with a hand on her arm. He indicated one of the chairs. "After you, My Lady."

She narrowed her eyes but decided to follow his lead. They sat down, poured some tea and enjoyed the warmth while the supervisor went to fetch the Ripper.

Conan the Ripper arrived in shackles, wrists tied with rope and manacled with heavy metal chains, ankles locked with heavy chains that made his steps shorter than his long legs allowed, and a brown tunic and trousers that put his muscled build into sharp relief.

If not for his dubious character, Leon would've been impressed with the man's dedication to physical wellbeing despite being in prison for a long time.

Conan's blue eyes went from Leon, Summer and Al, then stopped on Ida. He winked at her.

"Behave yourself," the prison supervisor said before bowing and leaving the room.

"Conan, why don't you take a seat?" Leon said.

"And you are?" Conan asked, plopping down on a chair across from them with a groan. He shook his head, pushing the waves of light brown hair out of his face.

So he didn't recognize Leon. Good.

"A colleague of Captain Holloway," Leon said. "He came to you with a proposal yesterday."

"Oh, yeah. The stiff fellow," Conan said, his smile easy. "I told him what I thought of his proposal. Nothing will make me work with the Royal Guards."

"Nothing?" Leon asked, drumming his fingers on the arm of his chair. Next to him, Summer seemed to be paying close attention to the other man.

"Well, maybe not nothing," Conan said, his eyes settling behind Leon on Ida. He gave her a roguish grin. Ida didn't react.

Summer glanced at Leon. He nodded. Go ahead.

She snorted. "For someone who's not having a great time in prison, you sure are stubborn."

Conan squinted, as if just now noticing Summer's presence properly. "I'm having the time of my life. Free food. Shelter. What else could a man ask for?"

Summer took a leisurely sip of her tea before speaking, "Oh, I don't know. Open skies? Something to do other than sitting on your hands all day and trying to stay alive?"

She looked pointedly at his bruised knuckles. Leon also noticed Conan favoring his left leg as he walked in, and the fading bruise on Conan's left cheekbone.

Conan scoffed. "Like I said, I'd rather stay here than work with the Royal Guard."

"I know. A bunch of stiff, righteous assholes," Summer said. "They think just because they wear a uniform and have the blessing of some lords, they can do whatever they want. With their self-serving laws and useless institutions, they think everyone lives the same privileged lives they do. But when bending those rules serves a purpose, they're the first to do it. Just like now. They need your help, so they're ready to bend the rules and make a deal with a criminal."

Leon suppressed a smile. Conan looked puzzled. Here was a woman who dressed like a lady in an elegant dress and a fur-lined cloak, but whose hair was a live, untamed thing around her head that no other lady would be caught dead in, and who spoke like a street-raised rebel.

"Aha, and you know all about our struggles, don't you?" Conan asked.

"Sure. I don't particularly have fond memories of Guards. And some of them still piss me off with the stick up their behinds." She looked pointedly behind her at Al. "But then again, nothing is black and white. And my own experience doesn't define the reality of most people."

Conan stuck his tongue against his cheek as he regarded Summer. Summer smiled at Conan. Conan smiled back. Their smiles were almost identical, both of them mischievous and somewhat mocking.

Leon shifted in his seat, feeling the urge to hide Summer from Conan's eyes.

Conan leaned forward. "And you're working with them on this supposed secret mission, my Lady?"

"I'm no lady. But yes, I'm lending them a hand."

Conan clicked his tongue. "You're driving a hard bargain, sweetheart."

"Watch your tongue," Leon said quietly, before he could help himself.

Conan raised his brows, looking between the two of them. He chuckled. "Oh, this is interesting. Don't worry my Lord, your lady is safe from me. She's a little too bite-sized for my taste," he winked at Summer. "No offense, doll."

"An offense? I thought that was a compliment," Summer said with a smile, taking a sip of her tea.

Al snorted behind Leon. Conan leaned back in his seat and looked at Ida. "Will you be joining us?"

"Wouldn't you like to find out?" Ida mumbled. Well played.

Conan's grin widened. He nodded at Leon. "Tell me more, my Lord. I'll decide after I hear what you have to offer."

Now Leon had the other man's attention.

"There has been a heist from a government institution," Leon began. "The stolen item has been retrieved, but they are still after it. We need to find out who they are. You're a mercenary infamous for efficiency. Being on the market will draw out the interested parties."

"Hmm. You want me to get hired by the thieves' bosses." Conan grinned. "That sounds like fun. But what do I have to gain?"

"When we caught you, you were on your way to Lostwater Island," Leon said, leaning on the knowledge he gleaned from Conan's files. "Captain Holloway promised you safe passage outside the Kingdom, on the condition you don't return. If you do, you will be apprehended and tried as planned. I'm offering you the same, along with a ship, an experienced crew and enough resources to survive a year in the open sea."

Conan stuck his tongue in his cheek again. From the calculative look in his eyes, Leon knew he had him.

"Do you even have the authority to do that?" Conan asked, sizing Leon up.

Leon stood up. "Let's just say I have very deep pockets and hands that reach far and wide. You have until tomorrow to think about the proposal, Conan. After that, the deal is off."

A flash of lightning filled the room, casting Conan's face in sharp shadows. Seconds later, thunder roared and rain pelted the window.

Leon walked out of the room, followed by Summer, Ida and Al. The guard went inside to retrieve Conan as the supervisor greeted them. They were about to turn the bend of the hallway when a voice stopped them.

"I agree."

Leon looked back. Conan towered over the supervisor and the guard, and he looked at Leon. "Your deal. I agree."

"Good. Enjoy your last night in prison. We meet tomorrow."

*** **** ***

"His majesty requests your presence, your highness," Logan said, walking beside Leon. They'd just come back from the prison and everyone retired to their room.

Leon sighed. At least his brother was patient enough to let him deal with everything before summoning him.

"Very well," Leon said, standing in front of Ari's door. "I will be with him right away."

Logan bowed and turned to stand beside the door as Leon walked in. Ari's room was lit up with a bedside candle. His son was reading, candlelight casting his pale face in soft shadows.

His son's valet bowed and left the room. Ari glanced up before focusing on his book. Leon sat next to him, putting his arm around the boy. And Leon's heart soared when Ari leaned his head against his father's shoulder.

"We'll have a swordsmanship lesson tomorrow afternoon, you and I," Leon said.

Ari looked up to him with a grin and nodded.

Leon chuckled. "Are you excited?"

Ari nodded again, more vigorously.

"What are you reading?" Leon asked. Ari showed him the book, and Leon read for his son until sleep took over and weighed down his eyelids. For the first time in a long while, Ari slept in his father's arms. And Leon couldn't be more grateful.

***

The king's secretary, Pennings, admitted Leon to Victor's study. Documents spilled over his brother's desk, and Victor poured on one of them, his bearing frazzled.

It was always a busy time for his brother, before and during the yearly assembly of lords. Leon knew the kingdom would never be free of criminals, but his brother tried his best. There would always be people like Conan, people who committed crimes maybe not out of need, but out of spite and greed.

Though Leon didn't presume to know the other man's motives, from what he read in his file, he knew Conan hadn't been born in conditions like Summers', where he was forced into a life of delinquency. Conan's father had been a rich carpenter, his mother a lord's daughter, but somewhere along the line Conan had lost his way. How? Leon didn't know the full story.

Victor glanced up. "You've finally graced me with your presence, little brother."

Leon bowed and took a seat on the chair in front of his brother's desk. "I've been busy."

"So I've heard," Victor said, flipping the document he'd been reading aside on a stack. He leaned back in his chair and fixed Leon with a sharp blue gaze. "I heard your little friend stirred up some trouble. Holloway is concerned."

"Holloway is always concerned."

Victor raised his brow. Leon sighed. "She might or might not be related to a lady from the Northern court."

"And you're sure she's not involved in the heist?"

"Yes. Her supposed familiar relations have been unknown to her until now. She's as involved in the theft as I am."

Victor hummed. He turned his head to the window and stared for a long while.

"I would meet her," Victor said. "I've already told you before, but you haven't deemed it necessary to introduce us. Why?"

Leon stifled a sigh. He knew that the moment Victor saw Summer, she would become a pawn in his brother's political games. As much as he loved his brother, he knew that he was deft in using everyone and everything around him to push the good of the kingdom.

Now Summer's earlier question came to Leon's mind. He'd always believed that the kingdom came first. But did he truly believe it? Or was it simply a stance that was expected of him.

Would the kingdom still be first even if its interests clashed with those of Ari's? Leon never thought about it, because in his mind, Ari's interest would always be the kingdom's, and vice versa.

But what if those two diverged?

Leon shook his head. Futile thoughts. He must be more tired than he thought.

"I wanted to wait until she gets used to court life," Leon said. "If I'd brought her here the first day, she would've cursed you to the devil and you wouldn't have been amused."

Victor surprised him by laughing. Maybe he thought Leon was joking. He wasn't. Summer wouldn't have had any favorable opinion of his brother, a predisposition born from her experiences.

"Hmm. Maybe I should wait until Mother gets here. Then we can both meet her. Mother would be infinitely curious about the woman you're taking to the Ball."

Leon winced. Of course his brother would hear about the ball. And his mother... "When is Mother coming back?"

"She's on her way to the capital as we speak. And she sent word that we were to have brunch with her tomorrow morning."

Leon opened his mouth. Victor pointed a finger. "Don't even think of bailing on us. Serene and I will not be the sole targets of Mother's curiosities and nagging. You should bear your fair share as well."

"Very well. But I am busy, so the brunch will have to be short."

"More busy than me? I doubt it." Victor sighed.

"Would you like my help with anything? I could find the time," Leon said.

"No. Maybe I'll summon Al later. I've been reviewing the issue of Summer's town. I went over all the loopholes and the unenforced laws that the magistrate and the governor have taken advantage of to make the situation that dire. But Al's input will be valuable since he has actually been there. Fixing the issues will take some time."

"But it will be worth it," Leon said.

Victor nodded. "Leon. I trust your judgment. But I would still meet Summer. Understood?"

Leon nodded. "Soon. I promise."

Victor shooed him off. "Alright, you may leave. Send Pennings in on your way out."

Leon left his brother's study and stalked down the hallways. He hadn't told his brother about the artifact's reaction to Summer. Why? Because nothing was certain yet. His brother already had enough on his plate without needing to worry about this as well.

Leon sighed. He should be heading to his room. He was exhausted, and the following days would be busy with the investigation, planning with Conan and the yearly assembly's preparations. His son's training sessions would have to become a priority as well.

However, he still had one thing to do before he could rest. He found Al in his office with Wolfe.

"Give us a minute," Leon told Al. Al frowned but complied, leaving Leon and Wolfe alone in the office.

Wolfe stood at attention. Leon leaned against the front of his desk and crossed his arms.

"Do you know why I called you here?" Leon asked. Wolfe swallowed. The fireplace's flames, the only light in the study, played shadows on his profile.

"I assume because of my failings in the investigation, your highness," Wolfe said.

"That's something your direct superiors will address," Leon said. He straightened and walked close enough to grab Wolfe's wrist. He squeezed. Wolfe's jaw clenched, but he didn't utter a word. "Today was the first and the last time you put your hand on Summer. Do we understand each other?"

Wolfe blinked hard. "Yes, your highness."

"And the last time you put your hands on a woman with the intention to hurt," Leon added.

"Yes, your highness."

"If I find out anything of the sort happened again, you will have to deal directly with me. And you don't want that. Understood?"

Wolfe paled and nodded. "Yes, your highness."

"Good. You may go." Leon let go. He hadn't squeezed hard enough, despite his pressing need, yet Wolfe's arm seemed to have grown stiff when he tried to put his hand on his chest and bowed.

Al walked in after Wolfe left. "What was that about? Wolfe had a disturbed look on his face."

"Just something that's been bothering me," Leon said.

Al frowned. "You took care of it?"

"Yes." But it was still bothering him, Leon realized. He'd wanted to pummel his fist in Wolfe's face, remembering the bruise on Summer's wrist. That was a new and unwelcome development. Leon was always in control of his temper. Ari was the only person who could draw out such emotions from him.

Now Summer as well. And he didn't know how to deal with that.

*** **** ***

Thoughts?

I hope you guys enjoy it! What do you think of the new character, Conan?

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Much love <3 <3 <3

M.B.